MANILA, Philippines – Naval authorities said Wednesday (March 13th) it detained 35 suspected Filipino militants who were apparently trying to escape from the incursion they began in northern Borneo four weeks ago, AFP reported.

The 35 are described as part of a much larger group that tried to make a territorial claim on a remote part of Borneo Island on behalf of a Filipino sultan.

"They were coming back (home)... they are armed," Philippines regional military chief Rey Ardo told ABS-CBN television in the wake of a major military offensive by Malaysian forces.

Malaysia said 64 people – mostly militants – have been killed over the past several days, and that 97 followers of the sultan have been arrested in Sabah state, where security operations continue.

Prime Minister Najib Razak described the protracted incursion as a "wake-up call" that will lead to tighter security along Malaysia's porous sea border. "There are gaps in terms of our capabilities, but we hope we will be able to close the gaps," Najib said in an interview published Wednesday in the New Straits Times.

Amid stinging criticism by the opposition, analysts suggest Najib's administration must balance calls for tighter security with the task of managing cross-border movement.